Page 118 - MBRF PR REPORT - MARCH 2025

Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Secretary-General of the Mohammed bin
Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, said: “Guided by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid
Al Maktoum's vision, MBRGI has established an inspiring model and a sustainable approach to
philanthropy. It focuses on making a long-term and lasting difference in the lives of tens of millions
of less fortunate individuals by empowering and developing them through impactful programmes in
education, health, community empowerment, and youth support, while building international
partnerships to enhance humanitarian and development efforts.

Al Gergawi added: “In 2024, MBRGI reached approximately 149 million people in 118 countries
through projects and programmes valued at over AED2.2 billion, representing an AED400 million
increase from 2023. This demonstrates the scale of the foundation's work and the growth of its
impact. More importantly, these resources were channelled into innovative, high-quality
programmes and projects that contribute to creating a better future for communities in need and
enhancing human potential and quality of life.”
Al Gergawi stated: “MBRGI will continue its mission of instilling hope through sustainable and
growing projects and programmes. This contributes to strengthening the UAE's leading global
position as a humanitarian capital and establishes an important benchmark for innovative
humanitarian and charitable work. It serves as an inspiring beacon, demonstrating the power of
solidarity, cooperation and giving to make a real difference in people's lives and their future.”

During the ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum bestowed the
‘Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Order for Philanthropy’ to Mirwais Azizi, Founder and
Chairman of Azizi Developments, whose contribution of AED3 billion marked the first contribution
in support of the Fathers’ Endowment campaign, and the largest individual private sector donation
in UAE history.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum also honoured a number of major
contributors to the Fathers’ Endowment campaign and awarded them the ‘Mohammed bin Rashid
Al Maktoum Medal for Philanthropy’. Honourees included Saeed Mohammed Ahmad Al Tayer,
Managing Director and CEO of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA); Abdullah Al Basti,
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and
Charity Establishment (MBRHC); Mohammed Juma Al Naboodah; Masih Imtiaz, CEO of Imtiaz
Developments; Imran Farooq, CEO of SAMANA Developers; Ahsan Rasheed, CEO of Peace Homes;
Yussuffali MA, Chairman of Lulu Group; Siddharth Balachandran, Executive Chairman and CEO of
Buimerc Corporation Ltd.; Abdullah Matar Al Mannai, Chairman and Managing Director of Emirates
Auction; Omar Al Mannai, Executive Director of Emirates Auction; Dr. Abdulla AlGhfeli, Acting
Director-General of the Integrated Transport Centre; Brigadier Mohammed Al Braik Al Ameri,
Executive Director of the Drivers and Vehicles Licensing Sector; Ahmed Mahboob, CEO of Licensing
Agency at Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Naresh Bhawnani, Chairman of the
West Zone Group.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum also honoured the
campaign’s partners and major contributors, who supported its aims to honour fathers by allowing
individuals to donate in their names to provide sustainable healthcare in underserved
communities. Honorees included Yahya Saeed Lootah, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of
the Saeed Ahmed Lootah Charity Foundation; Khaled Abdul Rahim Al Zarooni; Mohammad Saeed

https://www.wam.ae/en/article/biq7lvx-mohammed-bin-rashid-chairs-mbrgi-board-trustees